A poll conducted on Wednesday and Thursday shows that most Americans want to see President Barack Obama receive the approval of Congress before declaring military action in Syria, USA TODAY reported.
According to the NBC poll, 79 percent of Americans want Obama to receive Congressional approval before taking any action.
Thursday, member of Obama's national security team briefed 26 lawmakers on intelligence they believe demonstrates how regime loyalists linked to Syrian President Bashar Assad are responsible for the chemical weapons attack near Damascus that left hundreds dead.
While the British government also released intelligence showing that the regime used chemical weapons 15 times against the Syrian opposition, the British Parliament voted to not take military action in Syria on Thursday as well.
The new poll also said 50 percent of Americans oppose the U.S. taking action against Assad and 42 percent support it. However, when participants were asked if military action meant launching missles from naval war ships, 50 percent favored military action while 44 percent opposed it -- showing that Americans are more supportive of a limited military action.
It also shows that 58 percent believe that the use of chemical weapons by any country crosses a "red line" that demands a response from the U.S., including military action.
While Obama's aides have said the president has not made any decisions yet, Obama emphasized that any action against Assad at all would be limited and would not include U.S. troops on the ground.
"As we've said, President Obama's decision making will be guided by what is in the best interests of the United States," said Caitlin Hayden, National Security Council spokeswoman. "He believes that there are core interests at stake for the United States. He believes that there are core interests at stake for the United States and that countries who violate international norms regarding chemical weapons need to be held accountable."
The poll has a ±3.70 percent margin of error.
